Care Workers “Represent The Very Best Of Us” As Campaign Launched To Thank Carers For Working Through The Coronavirus Lockdown

Independent grant-making charity, the CareTech Foundation is joining in calls for greater recognition of the UK’s 2 million frontline care workers and the part they play in tackling coronavirus. During the lockdown, people across the UK are saying thank you to care workers by putting something that sparkles in their windows or wearing a sparkly outfit and posting photos on social media using the hashtag #SparkleforSocialCare

The CareTech Foundation is encouraging everyone to join in and ‘Sparkle for Social Care’ on Monday 13th April by using anything that sparkles, be it tinsel, a homemade glitter and sparkle poster or fairy lights, to show those who care for society’s most vulnerable that they are valued.

The Sparkle for Social Care campaign has been launched because care workers don’t receive enough credit for the vital work they do. An army of almost 2 million care workers is currently looking after the most vulnerable people in the UK, helping them to get through the lockdown. People in need of care are often older or suffering from certain health issues, meaning they are also the most susceptible to Covid-19. While their families and friends are unable to look after them, care workers offer a vital life-line, ensuring that their daily needs are met and that they are not left stranded and alone.

By continuing to provide care for those in desperate need during this crisis, care workers are potentially putting themselves at risk. There is a nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment, PPE, meaning care workers are having to carry out their roles, often with little to prevent them being infected.

When a care worker does become ill, or needs to self-isolate due to a family member showing symptoms, they can’t work, with many falling into serious hardship. Within days of the Care Workers Charity launching its Covid-19 crisis grants, they had received thousands of applications from care staff who were in crisis because of coronavirus. Therefore, as well as putting something that sparkles in their windows or on their clothes to show their support for care workers, people are also being encouraged to donate to the Sparkle for Social Care crisis appeal, launched by the Care Sector Ball organising committee.  Jonathan Freeman, CareTech Foundation’s CEO, is Vice-Chair of the committee and has played a key role in developing this new campaign.

The appeal aims to raise £1million for the Care Workers Charity Covid-19 Crisis Grants to support care workers during the coronavirus crisis. Care staff, personal assistants and support workers can apply to the charity for grants if they are unable to work because they are self-isolating. The CareTech Foundation is a long-standing partner of the Care Workers Charity, providing a three-year grant to support its Hardship Fund for care workers.

Announcing the CareTech Foundation’s support for the Sparkle for Social Care campaign, Chief Executive Jonathan Freeman, said:

“We all know how important and how brilliant care workers are. They represent the very best of us, and the care and kindness they show on a daily basis is needed now more than ever. It’s vital that, as a society, we say thank you to these amazing individuals during the crisis, and that’s why my colleagues at the CareTech Foundation and I will be using tinsel, glitter and anything else we can find that sparkles to ‘Sparkle for Social Care’. I know that many people across the country will join us in showing care workers that they are valued, and I hope that as many as are able will donate to the Sparkle for Social Care emergency appeal.”

Executive Director of the Care Workers’ Charity, Karolina Gerlich, said:

“The current crisis is bringing real hardship, not just for those who are isolated and alone because of health conditions, but also for the tireless women and men who care for them. Right now, care workers are working longer hours, and in more difficult conditions than ever before. They are sacrificing their own health to care for others.

“Many care workers live pay cheque to pay cheque, and they are terrified by what might happen if they can’t work due to coronavirus. Our appeal is designed to help those care staff affected by the disease. When you consider all they do for society and for our loved ones, the least we can do for them is ensure they don’t go into debt because of Covid-19.”

The CareTech Foundation is asking everyone who is thankful for the hard work of care workers to join the #SparkleforSocialCare movement by putting some sparkly decorations in their windows or wearing something that sparkles each Monday starting on the 13th April, and posting a photo on social media with the hashtag #SparkleforSocialCare

The CareTech Foundation is joining with the other organisers of the annual Care Sector Fundraising Ball to back the Sparkle for Social Care emergency appeal. Each year the ball recognises the contribution of care workers and raises sorely needed funds for charities in the care sector. Now they are calling for donations to the Sparkle for Social Care Crisis Appeal, donations can be made at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sparkle-for-Social-Care